Original WW2 Captains War Aid Battledress Blouse

Original WW2 Captains War Aid Battledress Blouse

Code: 54383

£105.00 Approx $132.58, €122.81
 

An original 'War Aid' British Army battledress blouse badge to a captain. 

This jacket was made in the United States as part of the Lend Lease scheme. It is based on the standard British battledress blouse introduced prior to the Second World War but has a few key differences. The most notable of these is the exposed buttons on the breast pockets and the fly front fastening which gives War Aid jackets their distinctive look. All the buttons are the same as used on American military clothing of the 1940s and the internal seams are bound with rayon - a practice often seen on wartime manufactured US EM tunics. 

War Aid battledress saw widespread issue in Italy during WW2 which may have been where this jacket was used. The jacket is fitted with three rank stars to each epaulette which denotes the rank of captain and all feature a red coloured backing. The jacket has had the collar tailored to a notched style collar which was a popular conversion, particularly with officers, during 1944 and 1945. The jacket is also fitted with two medal ribbons which denote that the original owner served in the Second World War. 

Inside the jacket the original label is no longer present as the right hand interior pocket to which War Aid jackets have their labels fitted to is missing. This was most likely removed when the jacket was tailored to have an open collar. This pattern was only produced during the war so the lack of label is not a huge issue as this is clearly a wartime produced example.

The jacket is a small size which may suit a woman. When laid flat it measures - 

Chest - 20 1/2
Waist - 15"
Inside arm - 17 1/4"
Outside arm - 22 1/2"
Shoulders - 15"
Length - 18 1/2"

The jacket is in good condition with the usual signs of service wear and use. Overall it displays well but please take time to study the pictures as this is a vintage, pre-worn item which may have small flaws commensurate with age. 

A nice original badge BD jacket in good condition.